The Bburnma in English by Babur Emperor of Hindustan

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English, by Babur, Emperor of Hindustan,
Translated by Annette Susannah Beveridge

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Title: The Bābur-nāma in English

Memoirs of Bābur

Author: Babur, Emperor of Hindustan

Release Date: January 7, 2014 [eBook #44608]

Language: English

Character set encoding: UTF-8

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BāBUR-NāMA IN ENGLISH***

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The Bābur-nāma in English

(Memoirs of Bābur)

Translated from the original Turki Text

of

Z̤ ahiru’d-dīn Muḥammad Bābur Pādshāh Ghāzī

BY

ANNETTE SUSANNAH BEVERIDGE

First Printed 1922

This work

is dedicate to

Bābur’s
fame.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface: Introductory.—Cap. I. Babur’s exemplars in the Arts of peace, p. xxvii.—Cap. II. Problems of the

mutilated Babur-nama, p. xxxi.—Cap. III. The Turki MSS. and work connecting with them, p. xxxviii.—
Cap. IV. The Leyden and Erskine “Memoirs of Baber”, p. lvii.—Postscript of Thanks, p. lx.

SECTION I.—FARGHĀNA

899 ah.—Oct. 12th 1493 to Oct. 2nd 1494 ad.—Bābur’s age at the date of his accession—Description of

Farghāna (pp. 1 to 12)—Death and biography of ‘Umar Shaikh (13 to 19 and 24 to 28)—Biography of
Yūnas Chaghatāī (18 to 24)—Bābur’s uncles Aḥmad Mīrān-shāhī and Maḥmūd Chaghatāī (The
Khān) invade Farghāna—Death and biography of Aḥmad—Misdoings of his successor, his brother
Maḥmūd
1-42

900 ah.—Oct. 2nd 1494 to Sep. 21st 1495 ad.—Invasion of Farghāna continued—Bābur’s adoption of

orthodox observance—Death and biography of Maḥmūd Mīrān-shāhī—Samarkand affairs—revolt of
Ibrāhīm Sārū defeated—Bābur visits The Khān in Tāshkīnt—tribute collected from the Jīgrak tribe—
expedition into Aūrātīpā

43-
56

901 ah.—Sep. 21st 1495 to Sep. 9th 1496 ad.—Ḥusain Bāī-qarā’s campaign against Khusrau Shāh—Bābur

receives Aūzbeg sult̤āns—Revolt of the Tarkhāns in Samarkand—Bābur’s first move for Samarkand

57-
64

902 ah.—Sep. 9th 1496 to Aug. 30th 1497 ad.—Bābur’s second move for Samarkand—Dissensions of

Ḥusain Bāī-qarā and his sons—Dissensions between Khusrau Shāh and Mas‘ūd Mīrān-shāhī

65-
71

903 ah.—Aug. 30th 1497 to Aug. 19th 1498 ad.—Bābur’s second attempt on Samarkand is successful

—Description of Samarkand (pp. 74 to 86)—his action there—Mughūls demand and besiege Andijān
for Bābur’s half-brother Jahāngīr—his mother and friends entreat his help—he leaves Samarkand in his
cousin ‘Alī’s hands—has a relapse of illness on the road and is believed dying—on the news Andijān is
surrendered by a Mughūl to the Mughūl faction—Having lost Samarkand and Andijān, Bābur is
hospitably entertained by the Khujandīs—he is forced to dismiss Khalīfa—The Khān (his uncle) moves to
help him but is persuaded to retire—many followers go to Andijān where were their families—he is left
with 200-300 men—his mother and grandmother and the families of his men sent to him in Khujand—he
is distressed to tears—The Khān gives help against Samarkand but his troops turn back on news of
Shaibānī—Bābur returns to Khujand—speaks of his ambition to rule—goes in person to ask The Khān’s
help to regain Andijān—his force being insufficient, he goes back to Khujand—Affairs of Khusrau Shāh
and the Tīmūrid Mīrzās—Affairs of Ḥusain Bāī-qarā and his sons—Khusrau Shāh blinds Bābur’s cousin
Mas‘ūd—Bābur curses the criminal

72-
96

904 ah.—Aug. 19th 1498 to Aug. 8th 1499 ad.—Bābur borrows Pashāghar for the winter and leaves

Khujand—rides 70-80 miles with fever—a winter’s tug-of-war with Samarkand—his force insufficient,
he goes back to Khujand—unwilling to burthen it longer, goes into the summer-pastures of Aūrātīpā—
invited to Marghīnān by his mother’s uncle ‘Alī-dost—a joyful rush over some 145 miles—near
Marghīnān prudent anxieties arise and are stilled—he is admitted to Marghīnān on terms—is attacked
vainly by the Mughūl faction—accretions to his force—helped by The Khān—the Mughūls defeated near
Akhsī—Andijān recovered—Mughūls renew revolt—Bābur’s troops beaten by Mughūls—Taṃbal
attempts Andijān

97-
107

905 ah.—Aug. 8th 1499 to July 28th 1500 ad.—Bābur’s campaign against Ahṃad Taṃbal and the Mughūl

faction—he takes Māzū—Khusrau Shāh murders Bāī-sunghar Mīrānshāhī—Biography of the Mīrzā—
Bābur wins his first ranged battle, from Taṃbal supporting Jahāngīr, at Khūbān—winter-quarters—minor
successes—the winter-camp broken up by Qaṃbar-i-‘alī’s taking leave—Bābur returns to Andijān—
The Khān persuaded by Taṃbal’s kinsmen in his service to support Jahāngīr—his troops retire before
Bābur—Bābur and Taṃbal again opposed—Qaṃbar-i-‘alī again gives trouble—minor action and an
accommodation made without Bābur’s wish—terms of the accommodation—The self-aggrandizement of
‘Alī-dost Mughūl—Bābur’s first marriage—a personal episode—Samarkand affairs—‘Alī quarrels with
the Tarkhāns—The Khān sends troops against Samarkand—Mīrzā Khān invited there by a Tarkhān
—‘Alī defeats The Khān’s Mughūls—Bābur invited to Samarkand—prepares to start and gives Jahāngīr
rendezvous for the attempt—Taṃbal’s brother takes Aūsh—Bābur leaves this lesser matter aside and
marches for Samarkand—Qaṃbar-i-‘alī punishes himself—Shaibānī reported to be moving on Bukhārā
—Samarkand begs wait on Bābur—the end of ‘Alī-dost—Bābur has news of Shaibānī’s approach to
Samarkand and goes to Kesh—hears there that ‘Alī’s Aūzbeg mother had given Samarkand to Shaibānī
on condition of his marriage with herself

108-
126

[Pg viii]

[Pg ix]

906 ah.—July 28th 1500 to July 17th 1501 ad.—Shaibānī murders ‘Alī—a son and two grandsons of Aḥrārī’s

murdered—Bābur leaves Kesh with a number of the Samarkand begs—is landless and isolated—takes a
perilous mountain journey back into Aūrātīpā—comments on the stinginess shewn to himself by Khusrau
Shāh and another—consultation and resolve to attempt Samarkand—Bābur’s dream-vision of success—
he takes the town by a surprise attack—compares this capture with Ḥusain Bāī-qarā’s of Herī—his
affairs in good position—birth of his first child—his summons for help to keep the Aūzbeg down—literary
matters—his force of 240 grows to allow him to face Shaibānī at Sar-i-pul—the battle and his defeat—
Mughūls help his losses—he is besieged in Samarkand—a long blockade—great privation—no help from
any quarter—Futile proceedings of Taṃbal and The Khān

127-
145

907 ah.—July 17th 1501 to July 7th 1502 ad.—Bābur surrenders Samarkand—his sister Khān-zāda is

married by Shaibānī—incidents of his escape to Dīzak—his 4 or 5 escapes from peril to safety and ease
—goes to Dikh-kat in Aūrātīpā—incidents of his stay there—his wanderings bare-head, bare-foot—
sends gifts to Jahāngīr, and to Taṃbal a sword which later wounds himself—arrival from Samarkand of
the families and a few hungry followers—Shaibānī Khān raids in The Khān’s country—Bābur rides after
him fruitlessly—Death of Nuyān Kūkūldāsh—Bābur’s grief for his friend—he retires to the Zar-afshān
valley before Shaibānī—reflects on the futility of his wanderings and goes to The Khān in Tāshkīnt—
Mughūl conspiracy against Taṃbal Mughūl—Bābur submits verses to The Khān and comments on his
uncle’s scant study of poetic idiom—The Khān rides out against Taṃbal—his standards acclaimed and
his army numbered—of the Chīngīz-tūrā—quarrel of Chīrās and Begchīk chiefs for the post of danger—
Hunting—Khujand-river reached

146-
156

908 ah.—July 7th 1502 to June 26th 1503 ad.—Bābur comments on The Khān’s unprofitable move—his

poverty and despair in Tāshkīnt—his resolve to go to Khitāī and ruse for getting away—his thought for
his mother—his plan not accepted by The Khān and Shāh Begīm—The Younger Khān (Aḥmad) arrives
from Kāshghar—is met by Bābur—a half-night’s family talk—gifts to Bābur—the meeting of the two
Khāns—Aḥmad’s characteristics and his opinion of various weapons—The Khāns march into Farghāna
against Jahāngīr’s supporter Taṃbal—they number their force—Bābur detached against Aūsh, takes it
and has great accretions of following—An attempt to take Andijān frustrated by mistake in a pass-word
—Author’s Note on pass-words—a second attempt foiled by the over-caution of experienced begs—is
surprised in his bivouac by Taṃbal—face to face with Taṃbal—his new gosha-gīr—his dwindling
company—wounded—left alone, is struck by his gift-sword—escapes to Aūsh—The Khān moves from
Kāsān against Andijān—his disposition of Bābur’s lands—Qaṃbar-i-‘alī’s counsel to Bābur rejected—
Bābur is treated by the Younger Khān’s surgeon—tales of Mughūl surgery—Qaṃbar-i-‘alī flees to
Taṃbal in fear through his unacceptable counsel—Bābur moves for Akhsī—a lost chance—minor actions
—an episode of Pāp—The Khāns do not take Andijān—Bābur invited into Akhsī—Taṃbal’s brother
Bāyazīd joins him with Nāṣir Mīrān-shāhī—Taṃbal asks help from Shaibānī—On news of Shaibānī’s
consent the Khāns retire from Andijān—Bābur’s affairs in Akhsī—he attempts to defend it—incidents of
the defence—Bābur wounded—unequal strength of the opponents—he flees with 20-30 men—incidents
of the flight—Bābur left alone—is overtaken by two foes—his perilous position—a messenger arrives
from Taṃbal’s brother Bāyazīd—Bābur expecting death, quotes Niz̤āmī—(the narrative breaks off in the
middle of the verse)
157-
182

Translator’s Note.—908 to 909 ah.—1503 to 1504 ad.—Bābur will have been rescued—is with The
Khāns in the battle and defeat by Shaibānī at Archīān—takes refuge in the Asfara hills—there spends a
year in misery and poverty—events in Farghāna and Tāshkīnt—Shaibānī sends the Mughūl horde back to
Kāshghar—his disposition of the women of The Khān’s family—Bābur plans to go to Ḥusain Bāī-qarā in
Khurāsān—changes his aim for Kābul

182-
185

[End of Translator’s Note.]

SECTION II.—KĀBUL

[Pg x]

[Pg xi]

910 ah.—June 14th 1504 to June 4th 1505 ad.—Bābur halts on an alp of Ḥiṣār—enters his 22nd (lunar) year

—delays his march in hope of adherents—writes a second time of the stinginess of Khusrau Shāh to
himself—recalls Sherīm T̤ T̤aghāī Mughūl’s earlier waverings in support—is joined by Khusrau Shāh’s
brother Bāqī Beg—they start for Kābul—Accretions of force—their families left in Fort Ajar (Kāhmard)
—Jahāngīr marries a cousin—Bāqī advises his dismissal to Khurāsān—Bābur is loyal to his half-brother
—Jahāngīr is seduced, later, by disloyal Begchīk chiefs—Ḥusain Bāī-qarā summons help against
Shaibānī—Despair in Bābur’s party at Ḥusain’s plan of “defence, not attack”—Qaṃbar-i-‘alī dismissed
to please Bāqī—Khusrau makes abject submission to Bābur—Mīrzā Khān demands vengeance on him
—Khusrau’s submission having been on terms, he is let go free—Bābur resumes his march—first sees
Canopus—is joined by tribesmen—Khusrau’s brother Walī flees to the Aūzbegs and is executed—Risks
run by the families now fetched from Kāhmard—Kābul surrendered to Bābur by Muqīm Arghūn—
Muqīm’s family protected—Description of Kābul (pp. 199 to 277)—Muqīm leaves for Qandahār—
Allotment of fiefs—Excess levy in grain—Foray on the Sult̤ān Mas‘ūdī Hazāra—Bābur’s first move for
Hindūstān—Khaibar traversed—Bīgrām visited—Bāqī Beg prevents crossing the Sind—and persuades
for Kohāt—A plan for Bangash, Bannū and thence return to Kābul—Yār-i-ḥusain Daryā-khānī asks for
permission to raise a force for Bābur, east of the Sind—Move to Thāl, Bannū, and the Dasht—return
route varied without consulting Bābur—Pīr Kānū’s tomb visited—through the Pawat-pass into Dūkī—
horse-food fails—baggage left behind—men of all conditions walk to Ghaznī—spectacle of the Āb-istāda
—mirage and birds—Jahāngīr is Bābur’s host in Ghaznī—heavy floods—Kābul reached after a
disastrous expedition of four months—Nāṣir’s misconduct abetted by two Begchīk chiefs—he and they
flee into Badakhshān—Khusrau Shāh’s schemes fail in Herāt—imbroglio between him and Nāṣir—
Shaibānī attempts Ḥiṣār but abandons the siege on his brother’s death—Khusrau attempts Ḥiṣār and is
there killed—his followers revolt against Bābur—his death quenches the fire of sedition
188-
245

911 ah.—June 4th 1505 to May 24th 1506 ad.—Death of Bābur’s mother—Bābur’s illness stops a move for

Qandahār—an earth-quake—campaign against and capture of Qalāt-i-ghilzāī—Bāqī Beg dismissed
towards Hindūstān—murdered in the Khaibar—Turkmān Hazāra raided—Nijr-aū tribute collected—
Jahāngīr misbehaves and runs away—Bābur summoned by Ḥusain Bāī-qarā against Shaibānī—Shaibānī
takes Khwārizm and Chīn Ṣūfī is killed—Death and biography of Ḥusain Bāī-qarā (256 to 292)—his
burial and joint-successors

246-
293

912 ah.—May 24th 1506 to May 13th 1507 ad.—Bābur, without news of Ḥusain Bāī-qarā’s death, obeys

his summons and leaves Kābul—Jahāngīr flees from Bābur’s route—Nāṣir defeats Shaibānī’s men in
Badakhshān—Bābur, while in Kāhmard, hears of Ḥusain’s death—continues his march with anxious
thought for the Tīmūrid dynasty—Jahāngīr waits on him and accompanies him to Herāt—Co-alition of
Khurāsān Mīrzās against Shaibānī—their meeting with Bābur—etiquette of Bābur’s reception—an
entertainment to him—of the Chīngīz-tūrā—Bābur claims the ceremonial observance due to his military
achievements—entertainments and Bābur’s obedience to Muḥammadan Law against wine—his
reflections on the Mīrzās—difficulties of winter-plans (300, 307)—he sees the sights of Herī—visits the
Begīms—the ceremonies observed—tells of his hitherto abstention from wine and of his present
inclination to drink it—Qasīm Beg’s interference with those pressing Bābur to break the Law—Bābur’s
poor carving—engages Ma‘ṣūma in marriage—leaves for Kābul—certain retainers stay behind—a
perilous journey through snow to a wrong pass out of the Herīrud valley—arrival of the party in
Yakaaūlāng—joy in their safety and comfort—Shibr-tū traversed into Ghūr-bunḍ—Turkmān Hazāra
raided—News reaches Bābur of conspiracy in Kābul to put Mīrzā Khān in his place—Bābur concerts
plans with the loyal Kābul garrison—moves on through snow and in terrible cold—attacks and defeats
the rebels—narrowly escaped death—attributes his safety to prayer—-deals mercifully, from family
considerations, with the rebel chiefs—reflects on their behaviour to him who has protected them—asserts
that his only aim is to write the truth—letters-of-victory sent out—Muḥ. Ḥusain Dūghlāt and Mīrzā Khān
banished—Spring excursion to Koh-dāman—Nāṣir, driven from Badakhshān, takes refuge with Bābur

294-
322

913 ah.—May 13th 1507 to May 2nd 1508 ad.—Raid on the Ghiljī Afghāns—separation of the Fifth

(Khams)—wild-ass, hunting—Shaibānī moves against Khurāsān—Irresolution of the Tīmūrid Mīrzās—
Infatuation of Ẕū’n-nūn Arghūn—Shaibānī takes Herī—his doings there—Defeat and death of two Bāī-
qarās—The Arghūns in Qandahār make overtures to Bābur—he starts to join them against Shaibānī—
meets Ma‘ṣūma in Ghaznī on her way to Kābul—spares Hindūstān traders—meets Jahāngīr’s widow and
infant-son coming from Herāt—The Arghūn chiefs provoke attack on Qandahār—Bābur’s army—
organization and terminology—wins the battle of Qandahār and enters the fort—its spoils—Nāṣir put in
command—Bābur returns to Kābul rich in goods and fame—marries Ma‘ṣūma—Shaibānī lays siege to
Qandahār—Alarm in Kābul at his approach—Mīrzā Khān and Shāh Begīm betake themselves to
Badakhshān—Bābur sets out for Hindūstān leaving ‘Abdu’r-razzāq in Kābul—Afghān highwaymen—A
raid for food—Māhchuchak’s marriage—Hindūstān plan abandoned—Nūr-gal and Kūnār visited—
News of Shaibānī’s withdrawal from Qandahār—Bābur returns to Kābul—gives Ghaznī to Nāṣir—
assumes the title of Pādshāh—Birth of Humāyūn, feast and chronogram

323-
344

[Pg xii]

[Pg xiii]

914 ah.—May 2nd 1508 to April 21st 1509 ad.—Raid on the Mahmand Afghāns—Seditious offenders

reprieved—Khusrau Shāh’s former retainers march off from Kābul—‘Abdu’r-razzāq comes from his
district to near Kābul—not known to have joined the rebels—earlier hints to Bābur of this “incredible”
rebellion—later warnings of an immediate rising

345-
346

Translator’s Note.—914 to 925 ah.—1508 to 1519 ad.—Date of composition of preceding narrative
—Loss of matter here seems partly or wholly due to Bābur’s death—Sources helping to fill the Gap—
Events of the remainder of 914 ah.—The mutiny swiftly quelled—Bābur’s five-fold victory over hostile
champions—Sa‘īd Chaghatāī takes refuge with him in a quiet Kābul—Shaibānī’s murders of Chaghatāī
and Dūghlāt chiefs

347-
366

915 ah.—April 21st 1509 to April 11th 1510 ad.—Beginning of hostilities between Ismā‘īl Ṣafawī and

Shaibānī—Ḥaidar Dūghlāt takes refuge with Bābur.

916 ah.—April 11th 1510 to March 31st 1511 ad.—Ismā‘īl defeats the Aūzbegs near Merv—Shaibānī is

killed—20,000 Mughūls he had migrated to Khurāsān, return to near Qūndūz—Mīrzā Khān invites
Bābur to join him against the Aūzbegs—Bābur goes to Qūndūz—The 20,000 Mughūls proffer allegiance
to their hereditary Khān Sa‘īd—they propose to set Bābur aside—Sa‘īd’s worthy rejection of the
proposal—Bābur makes Sa‘īd The Khān of the Mughūls and sends him and his Mughūls into Farghāna—
significance of Bābur’s words, “I made him Khān”—Bābur’s first attempt on Ḥiṣār where were Ḥamza
and Mahdī Aūzbeg—beginning of his disastrous intercourse with Ismā‘īl Ṣafawī—Ismā‘īl sends Khān-
zāda Begīm back to him—with thanks for the courtesy, Bābur asks help against the Aūzbeg—it is
promised under dangerous conditions.

917 ah.—March 31st 1511 to March 19th 1512 ad.—Bābur’s second attempt on Ḥiṣār—wins the Battle of

Pul-i-sangīn—puts Ḥamza and Mahdī to death—his Persian reinforcement and its perilous cost—The
Aūzbegs are swept across the Zar-afshān—The Persians are dismissed from Bukhārā—Bābur occupies
Samarkand after a nine-year’s absence—he gives Kābul to Nāṣir—his difficult position in relation to the
Shī‘a Ismā‘īl—Ismā‘īl sends Najm S̤ ānī to bring him to order.

918 ah.—March 19th 1512 to March 9th 1513 ad.—The Aūzbegs return to the attack—‘Ubaid’s vow—his

defeat of Bābur at Kūl-i-malik—Bābur flees from Samarkand to Ḥiṣār—his pursuers retire—Najm S̤ ānī
from Balkh gives him rendezvous at Tīrmīẕ—the two move for Bukhārā—Najm perpetrates the massacre
of Qarshī—Bābur is helpless to prevent it—Najm crosses the Zar-afshān to a disadvantageous position
—is defeated and slain—Bābur, his reserve, does not fight—his abstention made a reproach at the
Persian Court against his son Humāyūn (1544 ad.?)—his arrow-sped message to the Aūzbeg camp—in
Ḥiṣār, he is attacked suddenly by Mughūls—he escapes to Qūndūz—the retributive misfortunes of Ḥiṣār
—Ḥaidar on Mughūls—Ayūb Begchīk’s death-bed repentance for his treachery to Bābur—Ḥaidar
returns to his kinsfolk in Kāshghar.

919 ah.—March 9th 1513 to Feb. 26th 1514 ad.—Bābur may have spent the year in Khishm—Ismā‘īl takes

Balkh from the Aūzbegs—surmised bearing of the capture on his later action.

920 ah.—Feb. 26th 1514 to Feb. 15th 1515 ad.—Ḥaidar’s account of Bābur’s misery, patience and courtesy

this year in Qūndūz—Bābur returns to Kābul—his daughter Gulrang is born in Khwāst—he is welcomed
by Nāṣir who goes back to Ghaznī.

921 ah.—Feb. 15th 1515 to Feb. 5th 1516 ad.—Death of Nāṣir—Riot in Ghaznī led by Sherīm T̤aghāī

Mughūl—quiet restored—many rebels flee to Kāshghar—Sherīm refused harbourage by Sa‘īd Khān
and seeks Bābur’s protection—Ḥaidar’s comment on Bābur’s benevolence.

ah.—Feb. 5th 1516 to Jan. 24th 1517 ad.—A quiet year in Kābul apparently—Birth of ‘Askarī.

923 ah.—Jan. 24th 1517 to Jan. 13th 1518 ad.—Bābur visits Balkh—Khwānd-amīr’s account of the affairs

of Muhammad-i-zamān Mīrza Bāī-qarā—Bābur pursues the Mīrzā—has him brought to Kābul—gives
him his daughter Ma‘ṣūma in marriage—An expedition to Qandahār returns fruitless, on account of his
illness—Shāh Beg’s views on Bābur’s persistent attempts on Qandahār—Shāh Beg’s imprisonment and
release by his slave Saṃbal’s means.

924 ah.—Jan. 13th 1518 to Jan. 3rd 1519 ad.—Shāh Beg’s son Ḥasan flees to Bābur—stays two years—

date of his return to his father—Bābur begins a campaign in Bajaur against Ḥaidar-i-‘alī Bajaurī—takes
two forts.

[End of Translator’s Note.]

[Pg xiv]

[Pg xv]

925 ah.—Jan. 3rd to Dec. 23rd 1519 ad.—Bābur takes the Fort of Bajaur—massacres its people as false to

Islām—Khwāja Kalān made its Commandant—an excessive impost in grain—a raid for corn—Māhīm’s
adoption of Dil-dār’s unborn child—Bābur marries Bībī Mubārika—Repopulation of the Fort of Bajaur
—Expedition against Afghān tribesmen—Destruction of the tomb of a heretic qalandar—Bābur first
crosses the Sind—his long-cherished desire for Hindūstān—the ford of the Sind—the Koh-i-jūd (Salt-
range)—his regard for Bhīra, Khūsh-āb, Chīn-ab and Chīnīūt as earlier possessions of the Turk, now
therefore his own—the Kalda-kahār lake and subsequent location on it of the Bāgh-i-ṣafā—Assurance of
safety sent to Bhīra as a Turk possession—History of Bhīra etc. as Turk possessions—Author’s Note on
Tātār Khān Yūsuf-khail—envoys sent to Balūchīs in Bhīra—heavy floods in camp—Offenders against
Bhīra people punished—Agreed tribute collected—Envoy sent to ask from Ibrāhīm Lūdī the lands once
dependent on the Turk—Daulat Khān arrests and keeps the envoy who goes back later to Bābur re
infectâ—news of Hind-āl’s birth and cause of his name—description of a drinking-party—Tātār Khān
Kakar compels Minūchihr Khān Turk, going to wait on Bābur, to become his son-in-law—Account of
the Kakars—excursions and drinking-parties—Bhīra appointments—action taken against Hātī Khān
Kakar—Description and capture of Parhāla—Bābur sees the saṃbal plant—a tiger killed—Gūr-khattrī
visited—Loss of a clever hawk—Khaibar traversed—mid-day halt in the Bāgh-i-wafā—Qarā-tū garden
visited—News of Shāh Beg’s capture of Kāhān—Bābur’s boys carried out in haste to meet him—wine-
parties—Death and biography of Dost Beg—Arrival of Sult̤ānīm Bāī-qarā and ceremonies observed on
meeting her—A long-imprisoned traitor released—Excursion to Koh-dāman—Hindū Beg abandons
Bhīra—Bābur has (intermittent) fever—Visitors from Khwāst—Yūsuf-zāī chiefs wait on Bābur—
Khalīfa’s son sends a wedding-gift—Bābur’s amusement when illness keeps him from an entertainment—
treatment of his illness—A Thursday reading of theology (see Add. Note p. 401)—Swimming—Envoy
from Mīrzā Khān—Tribesmen allowed to leave Kābul for wider grazing-grounds—Bābur sends his first
Dīwān to Pūlād Aūzbeg in Samarkand—Arrivals and departures—Punitive expedition against the
‘Abdu’r-rahman Afghāns—punishment threatened and inflicted (p. 405) on defaulters in help to an out-
matched man—Description of the Rustam-maidān—return to Kābul—Excursion to Koh-dāman—snake
incident—Tramontane begs warned for service—fish-drugging—Bābur’s non-pressure to drink, on an
abstainer—wine-party—misadventure on a raft—toothpicks gathered—A new retainer—Bābur shaves
his head—Hind-āl’s guardian appointed—Aūzbeg raiders defeated in Badakhshān—Various arrivals—
Yūsuf-zāī campaign—Bābur dislocates his wrist—Varia—Dilah-zāk chiefs wait on him—Plan to store
corn in Hash-nagar—Incidents of the road—Khaibar traversed—Bārā urged on Bābur as a place for
corn—Kābul river forded at Bārā—little corn found and the Hash-nagar plan foiled—Plan to store
Pashāwar Fort—return to ‘Alī-masjid—News of an invasion of Badakhshān hurries Bābur back through
the Khaibar—The Khiẓr-khail Afghāns punished—Bābur first writes since dislocating his wrist—The
beauty and fruits of the Bāgh-i-wafā—incidents of the return march to Kābul—Excursion to the Koh-
dāman—beauty of its harvest crops and autumnal trees—a line offensive to Khalīfa (see Add. Note p.
416)—Humāyūn makes a good shot—Beauty of the harvest near Istālīf and in the Bāgh-i-pādshāhī—
Return to Kābul—Bābur receives a white falcon in gift—pays a visit of consolation to an ashamed drinker
—Arrivals various—he finishes copying ‘Alī-sher’s four Dīwāns—An order to exclude from future
parties those who become drunk—Bābur starts for Lāmghān

367-
419

926 ah.—Dec. 23rd 1519 to Dec. 12th 1520 ad.—Excursion to Koh-dāman and Kohistān—incidents of the

road—Bābur shoots with an easy bow, for the first time after the dislocation of his wrist—Nijr-aū tribute
fixed—Excursions in Lāmghān—Kāfir head-men bring goat-skins of wine—Halt in the Bāgh-i-wafā—its
oranges, beauty and charm—Bābur records his wish and intention to return to obedience in his 40th year
and his consequent excess in wine as the end approached—composes an air—visits Nūr-valley—relieves
Kwāja Kalān in Bajaur—teaches a talisman to stop rain—his opinion of the ill-taste and disgusting
intoxication of beer—his reason for summoning Khwāja Kalān, and trenchant words to Shāh Ḥasan
relieving him—an old beggar loaded with gifts—the raft strikes a rock—Description of the Kīndīr spring
—Fish taken from fish-ponds—Hunting—Accident to a tooth—Fishing with a net—A murderer made
over to the avengers of blood—A Qoran chapter read and start made for Kābul—(here the diary breaks
off)

420-
425

Translator’s Note.—926 to 932 ah.—1520 to 1525 ad.—Bābur’s activities in the Gap—missing
matter less interesting than that lost in the previous one—its distinctive mark is biographical—Dramatis
personæ—Sources of information

426-
444

926 ah.—Dec. 23rd 1519 to Dec. 12th 1520 ad.—Bābur’s five expeditions into Hindūstān—this year’s cut

short by menace from Qandahār—Shāh Beg’s position—particulars of his menace not ascertained
—Description of Qandahār-fort—Bābur’s various sieges—this year’s raised because of pestilence
within the walls—Shāh Beg pushes out into Sind.

927 ah.—Dec. 12th 1520 to Dec. 1st 1521 ad.—Two accounts of this year’s siege of Qandahār—(i) that of

the Ḥabību’s-siyar—(ii) that of the Tārīkh-i-sind—concerning the dates involved—Mīrzā Khān’s death.

[Pg xvi]

[Pg xvii]

928 ah.—Dec. 1st 1521 to Nov. 20th 1522 ad.—Bābur and Māhīm visit Humāyūn in Badakhshān—

Expedition to Qandahār—of the duel between Bābur and Shāh Beg—the Chihil-zīna monument of
victory—Death of Shāh Beg and its date—Bābur’s literary work down to this year.

929 ah.—Nov. 20th 1522 to Nov. 10th 1523 ad.—Hindūstān affairs—Daulat Khān Lūdī, Ibrāhīm Lūdī and

Bābur—Dilawār (son of Daulat Khān) goes to Kābul and asks help against Ibrāhīm—Bābur prays for a
sign of victory—prepares for the expedition—‘Ālam Khān Lūdī (apparently in this year) goes to Kābul
and asks Bābur’s help against his nephew Ibrāhīm—Birth of Gul-badan.

930 ah.—Nov. 10th 1523 to Oct. 27th 1524 ad.—Bābur’s fourth expedition into Hindūstān—differs from

earlier ones by its concert with malcontents in the country—Bābur defeats Bihār Khān Lūdī near Lāhor
—Lāhor occupied—Dībalpūr stormed, plundered and its people massacred—Bābur moves onward from
Sihrind but returns on news of Daulat Khān’s doings—there may have been also news of Aūzbeg threat
to Balkh—The Panj-āb garrison—Death of Ismā‘īl Ṣafawī and of Shāh Beg—Bābur turns for Kābul—
plants bananas in the Bāgh-i-wafā.

931 ah.—Oct. 29th 1524 to Oct. 18th 1525 ad.—Daulat Khān’s large resources—he defeats ‘Ālam Khān at

Dībalpūr—‘Ālam Khān flees to Kābul and again asks help—Bābur’s conditions of reinforcement
—‘Ālam Khān’s subsequent proceedings detailed s.a. 932 ah.—Bābur promises to follow him speedily
—is summoned to Balkh by its Aūzbeg menace—his arrival raises the siege—he returns to Kābul in time
for his start to Hindūstān in 932

426-
444

[End of Translator’s Note.]

SECTION III—HINDŪSTĀN

932 ah.—Oct. 18th 1525 to Oct. 8th 1526 ad.—Bābur starts on his fifth expedition into Hindūstān—is

attacked by illness at Gandamak—Humāyūn is late in coming in from Badakh-shān—Verse-making on
the Kābul-river—Bābur makes a satirical verse such as he had forsworn when writing the Mubīn—
attributes a relapse of illness to his breach of vow—renews his oath—Fine spectacle of the lighted camp
at Alī-masjid—Hunting near Bīgrām—Preparations for ferrying the Sind—Order to make a list of all with
the army, and to count them up—continuation of illness—Orders sent to the Lāhor begs to delay
engagement till Bābur arrived—The Sind ferried (for the first time) and the army tale declared as 12,000
good and bad—The eastward march—unexpected ice—Rendezvous made with the Lāhor begs—Jat
and Gūjūr thieves—a courier sent again to the begs—News that ‘Ālam Khān had let Ibrāhīm Lūdī defeat
him near Dihlī—particulars of the engagement—he takes refuge with Bābur—The Lāhor begs announce
their arrival close at hand—Ibrāhīm’s troops retire before Bābur’s march—Daulat Khān Lūdī surrenders
Milwat (Malot)—waits on Bābur and is reproached—Ghāzī Khān’s abandonment of his family censured
—Jaswān-valley—Ghāzī Khān pursued—Bābur advances against Ibrāhīm Lūdī—his estimate of his
adversary’s strength—‘Ālam Khān’s return destitute to Bābur—Bābur’s march leads towards Pānīpat—
Humāyūn’s first affair succeeds—reiterated news of Ibrāhīm’s approach—Bābur’s success in a minor
encounter—he arrays and counts his effective force—finds it under the estimate—orders that every man
in the army shall collect carts towards Rūmī defence—700 carts brought in—account of the defences of
the camp close to the village of Pānīpat—Bābur on the futility of fear; his excuses for the fearful in his
army—his estimate of Ibrāhīm’s army and of its higher possible numbers—Author’s Note on the Aūzbeg
chiefs in Ḥiṣār (918 ah.1512 ad.)—Preliminary encounters—Battle and victory of Pānīpat—Ibrāhīm’s
body found—Dihlī and Āgra occupied by Bābur—he makes the circuit of a Farghāna-born ruler in Dihlī
—visits other tombs and sees sights—halts opposite Tūghlūqābād—the khut̤ba read for him in Dihlī—he
goes to Āgra—Author’s Note on rulers in Gūālīār—The (Koh-i-nūr) diamond given by the Gūālīār family
to Humāyūn—Bābur’s dealings with Ibrāhīm’s mother and her entourage—Description of Hindūstān
(pp. 478 to 521)—Revenues of Hind (p. 521)—Āgra treasure distributed—local disaffection to Bābur—
discontent in his army at remaining in Hindūstān—he sets the position forth to his Council—Khwāja
Kalān decides to leave—his and Bābur’s verses on his desertion—Bābur’s force grows locally—action
begun against rebels to Ibrāhīm in the East—Gifts made to officers, and postings various—Bīban Jalwānī
revolts and is beaten—The Mīr of Bīāna warned—Mention of Rānā Sangā’s failure in his promise to act
with Bābur—Sangā’s present action—Decision in Council to leave Sangā aside and to march to the East
—Humāyūn leads out the army—Bābur makes garden, well and mosque near Āgra—Progress of
Humāyūn’s campaign—News of the Aūzbegs in Balkh and Khurāsān—Affairs of Gujrāt
445-
535

[Pg xviii]

[Pg xix]

[Pg xx]

933 ah.—Oct. 8th 1526 to Sep. 27th 1527 ad.—Birth announced of Bābur’s son Fārūq—incomplete success

in casting a large mortar—Varia—Humāyūn summoned from the East to act against Sangā—Plundering
expedition towards Bīāna—Tahangar, Gūālīār and Dūlpūr obtained—Ḥamīd Khān Sārang-khānī
defeated—Arrival of a Persian embassy—Ibrāhīm’s mother tries to poison Bābur—Copy of Bābur’s
letter detailing the affair—his dealings with the poisoner and her agents—Humāyūn’s return to Āgra—
Khw. Dost-i-khawānd’s arrival from Kābul—Reiterated news of the approach of Rānā Sangā—Bābur
sends an advance force to Bīāna—Ḥasan Khān Miwātī—Tramontane matters disloyal to Bābur—Trial-
test of the large mortar (p. 536)—Bābur leaves Āgra to oppose Sangā—adverse encounter with Sangā
by Bīāna garrison—Alarming reports of Rājpūt prowess—Spadesmen sent ahead to dig wells in
Madhākūr pargana—Bābur halts there—arrays and moves to Sīkrī—various joinings and scoutings—
discomfiture of a party reconnoitring from Sīkrī—the reinforcement also overcome—The enemy retires at
sight of a larger troop from Bābur—defence of the Sīkrī camp Rūmī fashion, with ditch besides—
Continued praise of Rājpūt prowess—Further defence of the camp made to hearten Bābur’s men—20-
25 days spent in the above preparations—arrival of 500 men from Kābul—also of Muḥ. Sharīf an
astrologer who augurs ill for Bābur’s success—Archers collected and Mīwāt over-run—Bābur reflects
that he had always wished to cease from the sin of wine—verses about his then position—resolves to
renounce wine—details of the destruction of wine and precious vessels, and of the building of a
commemorative well and alms-house—his oath to remit a tax if victorious is recalled to him—he remits
the tamghā—Shaikh Zain writes the farmān announcing the two acts—Copy of the farmān—Great
fear in Bābur’s army—he adjures the Ghāzī spirit in his men who vow to stand fast—his perilous position
—he moves forward in considerable array—his camp is laid out and protected by ditch and carts—An
omen is taken and gives hope—Khalīfa advising, the camp is moved—While tents were being set up, the
enemy appears—The battle and victory of Kānwa—described in a copy of the Letter-of-victory—Bābur
inserts this because of its full particulars (pp. 559 to 574)—assumes the title of Ghāzī—Chronograms of
the victory and also of that in Dībalpūr (930 ah.)—pursuit of the fugitive foe—escape of Sangā—the
falsely-auguring astrologer banished with a gift—a small revolt crushed—a pillar of heads set up—Bābur
visits Bīāna—Little water and much heat set aside plan to invade Sangā’s territory—Bābur visits Mīwāt
—give some historical account of it—Commanders rewarded—Alwār visited—Humāyūn and others
allowed to leave Hindūstān—Despatch of the Letter-of-victory—Various excursions—Humāyūn bidden
farewell—Chandwār and Rāprī recovered—Apportionment of fiefs—Bīban flees before Bābur’s men—
Dispersion of troops for the Rains—Misconduct of Humāyūn and Bābur’s grief—Embassy to ‘Irāq—
Tardī Beg khāksār allowed to return to the darwesh-life—Bābur’s lines to departing friends—The
Ramẓān-feast—Playing-cards—Bābur ill (seemingly with fever)—visits Dūlpūr and orders a house
excavated—visits Bārī and sees the ebony-tree—has doubt of Bāyazīd Farmūlī’s loyalty—his remedial
and metrical exercises—his Treatise on Prosody composed—a relapse of illness—starts on an excursion
to Kūl and Saṃbal
536-
586

934 ah.—Sep. 27th 1527 to Sep. 15th 1528 ad.—Bābur visits Kūl and Saṃbal and returns to Āgra—has

fever and ague intermittently for 20-25 days—goes out to welcome kinswomen—a large mortar bursts
with fatal result—he visits Sīkrī—starts for Holy War against Chandīrī—sends troops against Bāyazīd
Farmūlī—incidents of the march to Chandīrī—account of Kachwa—account of Chandīrī—its siege—
Meantime bad news arrives from the East—Bābur keeping this quiet, accomplishes the work in hand—
Chandīrī taken—change of plans enforced by defeat in the East—return northwards—Further losses in
the East—Rebels take post to dispute Bābur’s passage of the Ganges—he orders a pontoon-bridge—his
artillery is used with effect, the bridge finished and crossed and the Afghāns worsted—Tukhta-būghā
Chaghatāī arrives from Kāshgar—Bābur visits Lakhnau—suffers from ear-ache—reinforces Chīn-tīmūr
against the rebels—Chīn-tīmūr gets the better of Bāyazīd Farmūlī—Bābur settles the affairs of Aūd
(Oude) and plans to hunt near

587-
602

Translator’s Note. (part of 934 ah.)—On the cir. half-year’s missing matter—known events of the
Gap:—Continued campaign against Bīban and Bāyazīd—Bābur at Jūnpūr, Chausa and Baksara—swims
the Ganges—bestows Sarūn on a Farmūlī—orders a Chār-bāgh made—is ill for 40 days—is inferred to
have visited Dūlpūr, recalled ‘Askarī from Multān, sent Khw. Dost-i-khāwand to Kābul on family affairs
which were causing him much concern—Remarks on the Gap and, incidentally, on the Rāmpūr Dīwān
and verses in it suiting Bābur’s illnesses of 934 ah.

[End of Translator’s Note.]

[Pg xxi]

[Pg xxii]

935 ah.Sep. 15th 1528 to Sep. 5th 1529 ad.—‘Askarī reaches Āgra from Multān—Khwānd-amīr and others

arrive from Khurāsān—Bābur prepares to visit Gūālīār—bids farewell to kinswomen who are returning to
Kābul—marches out—is given an unsavoury medicament—inspects construction-work in Dūlpūr—
reaches Gūālīār—Description of Gūālīār (p. 607 to p. 614)—returns to Dūlpūr—suffers from ear-ache
—inspects work in Sīkrī and reaches Āgra—visit and welcomes to kinswomen—sends an envoy to take
charge of Rantanbhūr—makes a levy on stipendiaries—sends letters to kinsfolk in Khurāsān—News
arrives of Kāmrān and Dost-i-khāwand in Kābul—of T̤ahmāsp Safawī’s defeat at Jām of ‘Ubaidu’l-lāh
Aūzbeg—of the birth of a son to Humāyūn, and of a marriage by Kāmrān—he rewards an artificer—is
strongly attacked by fever—for his healing translates Aḥrārī’s Wālidiyyah-risāla—account of the task—
Troops warned for service—A long-detained messenger returns from Humāyūn—Accredited
messengers-of-good-tidings bring the news of Humāyūn’s son’s birth—an instance of rapid travel—
Further particulars of the Battle of Jām—Letters written and summarized—Copy of one to Humāyūn
inserted here—Plans for an eastern campaign under ‘Askarī—royal insignia given to him—Orders for
the measurement, stations and up-keep of the Āgra-Kābul road—the Mubīn quoted—A feast described
—‘Askarī bids his Father farewell—Bābur visits Dūlpūr and inspects his constructions—Persian account
of the Battle of Jām—Bābur decides contingently to go to the East—Balūchī incursions—News reaches
Dūlpūr of the loss of Bihār (town) and decides Bābur to go East—News of Humāyūn’s action in
Badakhshān—Bābur starts from Āgra—honoured arrivals in the assembly-camp—incidents of the march
—congratulations and gifts sent to Kāmrān, Humāyūn and others—also specimens of the Bāburī-script,
and copies of the translation of the Wālidiyyah-risāla and the Hindūstān Poems—commends his
building-work to his workmen—makes a new ruler for the better copying of the Wālidiyyah-risāla
translation—letters written—Copy of one to Khwāja Kalān inserted here—Complaints from Kītīn-
qarā Aūzbeg of Bābur’s begs on the Balkh frontier—Bābur shaves his head—Māhīm using his style,
orders her own escort from Kābul to Āgra—Bābur watches wrestling—leaves the Jumna, disembarks his
guns, and goes across country to Dugdugī on the Ganges—travels by litter—‘Askarī and other
Commanders meet him—News of Bīban, Bāyazīd and other Afghāns—Letters despatched to meet
Māhīm on her road—Bābur sends a copy of his writings to Samarkand—watches wrestling—hears news
of the Afghāns—(here a surmised survival of record displaced from 934 ah.)—fall of a river-bank under
his horse—swims the Ganges—crosses the Jumna at Allahābād (Piag) and re-embarks his guns—
wrestling watched—the evil Tons—he is attacked by boils—a Rūmī remedy applied—a futile attempt to
hunt—he sends money-drafts to the travellers from Kābul—visits places on the Ganges he had seen last
year—receives various letters below Ghāzīpūr—has news that the Ladies are actually on their way from
Kābul—last year’s eclipse recalled—Hindu dread of the Karmā-nāśā river—wrestling watched—Rūmī
remedy for boils used again with much discomfort—fall of last year’s landing-steps at Baksara—wrestling
—Negociations with an envoy of Naṣrat Shāh of Bengal—Examination into Muḥammad-i-zāman’s
objections to a Bihār appointment—despatch of troops to Bihār (town)—Muḥammad-i-zamān submits
requests which are granted—a small success against Afghāns—Royal insignia given to Muḥammad-i-
zamān, with leave to start for Bihār—Bābur’s boats—News of the Bengal army—Muḥammad-i-zāman
recalled because fighting was probable—Dūdū Bībī and her son Jalāl escape from Bengal to come to
Bābur—Further discussions with the Bengal envoy—Favourable news from Bihār—Bābur in Arrah—
Position of the Bengal army near the confluence of Gang and Sārū (Ganges and Gogrā)—Bābur making
further effort for peace, sends an envoy to Naṣrat Shāh—gives Naṣrat’s envoy leave to go conveying an
ultimatum—Arrival of a servant from Māhīm west of the Bāgh-i-ṣafā—Bābur visits lotus-beds near Arrah
—also Munīr and the Son—Distance measured by counting a horse’s paces—care for tired horses—
Bābur angered by Junaid Barlās’ belated arrival—Consultation and plans made for the coming battle—
the Ganges crossed (by the Burh-ganga channel) and move made to near the confluence—Bābur watches
‘Alī-qulī’s stone-discharge—his boat entered by night—Battle and victory of the Gogrā—Bābur praises
and thanks his Chaghatāī cousins for their great services—crosses into the Nirhun pargana—his favours
to a Farmūlī—News of Bīban and Bāyazīd—and of the strange deaths in Saṃbal—Chīn-tīmūr sends
news from the west of inconveniences caused by the Ladies’ delay to leave Kābul—and of success
against the Balūchī—he is ordered to Āgra—Settlement made with the Nuḥānī Afghāns—Peace made
with Naṣrat Shāh—Submissions and various guerdon—Bīban and Bāyazīd pursued—Bābur’s papers
damaged in a storm—News of the rebel pair as taking Luknūr(?)—Disposition of Bābur’s boats—move
along the Sārū—(a surmised survival of the record of 934 ah.)—Account of the capture of Luknūr(?)—
Dispositions against the rebel pair—fish caught by help of a lamp—incidents of the march to Adampūr on
the Jumna—Bīban and Bāyazīd flee to Mahūba—Eastern Campaign wound up—Bābur’s rapid ride to
Āgra (p. 686)—visits kinswomen—is pleased with Indian-grown fruits—Māhīm arrives—her gifts and
Humāyūn’s set before Bābur—porters sent off for Kābul to fetch fruits—Account of the deaths in
Saṃbal brought in—sedition in Lāhor—wrestling watched—sedition of Raḥīm-dād in Gūālīār—Mahdī
Khwāja comes to Āgra
605-
689

936 ah.—Sep. 5th 1529 to Aug. 25th 1530 ad.—Shaikh Ghaus comes from Gūālīār to intercede for Raḥīm-

dād—Gūālīār taken over

690

[Pg xxiii]

[Pg xxiv]

Translator’s Note.—936 and 937 ah.—1529 and 1530 ad.—Sources from which to fill the Gap down
to Bābur’s death (December 26th 1530)—Humāyūn’s proceedings in Badakhshān—Ḥaidar Dūghlāt’s
narrative of them—Humāyūn deserts his post, goes to Kābul, and, arranging with Kāmrān, sends Hind-āl
to Badakhshān—goes on to Āgra and there arrives unexpected by his Father—as he is unwilling to
return, Sulaimān Mīrān-shāhī is appointed under Bābur’s suzerainty—Sa‘īd Khān is warned to leave
Sulaimān in possession—Bābur moves westward to support him and visits Lāhor—waited on in Sihrind
by the Rāja of Kahlūr—received in Lāhor by Kāmrān and there visited from Kābul by Hind-āl—leaves
Lāhor (March 4th 1530 ad.)—from Sihrind sends a punitive force against Mundāhir Rājpūts—hunts near
Dihlī—appears to have started off an expedition to Kashmīr—family matters fill the rest of the year—
Humāyūn falls ill in Saṃbal and is brought to Āgra—his disease not yielding to treatment, Bābur resolves
to practise the rite of intercession and self-surrender to save his life—is urged rather to devote the great
diamond (Koh-i-nūr) to pious uses—refuses the substitution of the jewel for his own life—performs the
rite—Humāyūn recovers—Bābur falls ill and is bedridden till death—his faith in the rite unquestionable,
belief in its efficacy general in the East—Plan to set Bābur’s sons aside from the succession—The
T̤ abaqāt-i-akbarī story discussed (p. 702 to 708)—suggested basis of the story (p. 705)—Bābur’s
death (Jūmāda I. 5th 937 ah.—Dec. 26th 1530 ad.) and burial first, near Āgra, later near Kābul—Shāh-
jahān’s epitaph inscribed on a tablet near the grave—Bābur’s wives and children—Mr. Erskine’s
estimate of his character 691-716.

[End of Translator’s Note.]

Appendices

A. Site and disappearance of old Akhsī.
B. The birds Qīl-qūyīrūgh and Bāghrī-qarā.
C. On the gosha-gīr.
D. The Rescue-passage.
E. Nagarahār and Nīng-nahār.
F. The name Dara-i-nūr.
G. On the names of two Dara-i-nūr wines.
H. On the counter-mark Bih-būd of coins.
I. The weeping-willows of f. 190b.
J. Bābur’s excavated chamber at Qandahār.
K. An Afghān Legend.
L. Māhīm’s adoption of Hind-āl.
M. On the term Bahrī-qut̤ās.
N. Notes on a few birds.
O. Notes by Humāyūn on some Hindūstān fruits.
P. Remarks on Bābur’s Revenue List.
Q. On the Rāmpūr Dīwān.
R. Plans of Chandīrī and Gūālīār.
S. The Bābur-nāma dating of 935 ah.
T. On L:knū (Lakhnau) and L:knūr(Lakhnur i.e. Shahābād in Rāmpūr).
U. The Inscriptions in Bābur’s Mosque at Ajodhya (Oude).
V. Bābur’s Gardens in and near Kābul.

Indices:—I. Personal, II. Geographical, III. General, p. 717 et seq.
Omissions, Corrigenda, Additional Notes.

List of Illustrations.

Plane-tree Avenue in Babur’s (later) Burial-garden1
facing p. xxvii

View from above his grave and Shah-jahan’s Mosque1 facing p. 367
His Grave2
facing p. 445

Babur in Prayer3
facing p. 702

His Signature
App. Q, lxi

Plans of Chandiri and Gualiar
App. R, lxvii

[Pg
xxv]

[Pg xxvi]

Plane-tree Avenue in Babur’s (later) Burial-garden.

Plane-tree Avenue in Babur’s (later) Burial-garden.

PREFACE.

O Spring of work! O Source of power to Be!
Each line, each thought I dedicate to Thee;
Each time I fail, the failure is my own,
But each success, a jewel in Thy Throne.

Jessie E. Cadell.

INTRODUCTORY.

This book is a translation of Babur Padshah’s Autobiography, made from the original Turki text. It was undertaken
after a purely-Turki manuscript had become accessible in England, the Haidarabad Codex (1915) which, being in
Babur’s ipsissima verba, left to him the control of his translator’s diction—a control that had been impracticable
from the time when, under Akbar (1589), his book was translated into Persian. What has come down to us of pure
text is, in its shrunken amount, what was translated in 1589. It is difficult, here and there, to interpret owing to its
numerous and in some places extensive lacunæ, and presents more problems than one the solution of which has real
importance because they have favoured suggestions of malfeasance by Babur.

My translation has been produced under considerable drawback, having been issued in four fasciculi, at long
intervals, respectively in June 1912, May 1914, October 1917, and September 1921. I have put with it of
supplementary matter what may be of service to those readers whom Babur’s personality attracts and to those who
study Turki as a linguistic entertainment, but owing to delays in production am unable to include the desiderata of
maps.

CHAPTER I.

BABUR’S EXEMPLARS IN THE ARTS OF PEACE.

Babur’s civilian aptitudes, whether of the author and penman, the maker of gardens, the artist, craftsman or
sportsman, were nourished in a fertile soil of family tradition and example. Little about his teaching and training is
now with his mutilated book, little indeed of any kind about his præ-accession years, not the date of his birth even,
having escaped destruction.4 Happily Haidar Mirza (q.v.) possessed a more complete Codex than has come down
to us through the Timurid libraries, and from it he translated many episodes of Baburiana that help to bridge gaps and
are of special service here where the personalities of Bābur’s early environment are being named.

Babur’s home-milieu favoured excellence in the quiet Arts and set before its children high standard and example of
proficiency. Moreover, by schooling him in obedience to the Law, it planted in him some of Art’s essentials, self-
restraint and close attention. Amongst primal influences on him, his mother Qut-luq-nigar’s ranked high; she, well-
born and a scholar’s daughter, would certainly be educated in Turki and Persian and in the home-accomplishments
her governess possessed (ātūn q.v.). From her and her mother Aisan-daulat, the child would learn respect for the
attainments of his wise old grandfather Yunas Khan. Aisan-daulat herself brought to her grandson much that goes to
the making of a man; nomad-born and sternly-bred, she was brave to obey her opinion of right, and was practically
the boy’s ruling counsellor through his early struggle to hold Farghana. With these two in fine influence must be
counted Khan-zada, his five-years elder sister who from his birth to his death proved her devotion to him. Her life-
story tempts, but is too long to tell; her girlish promise is seen fulfilled in Gul-badan’s pages. ‘Umar Shaikh’s own

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mother Shah Sultan Begim brought in a type of merit widely differing from that of Aisan-daulat Begim; as a town-
lady of high Tarkhan birth, used to the amenities of life in a wealthy house of Samarkand, she was, doubtless, an
accomplished and cultured woman.

‘Umar Shaikh’s environment was dominated for many years by two great men, the scholar and lover of town-life
Yunas Khan and the saintly Ahrari (i.e. Khwaja ‘Ubaidu’l-lah) who were frequently with him in company, came at
Babur’s birth and assisted at his naming. Ahrari died in 895-1491 when the child was about seven years old but his
influence was life-long; in 935-1529 he was invoked as a spiritual helper by the fever-stricken Babur and his
mediation believed efficacious for recovery (pp. 619, 648). For the babe or boy to be where the three friends held
social session in high converse, would be thought to draw blessing on him; his hushed silence in the presence would
sow the seed of reverence for wisdom and virtue, such, for example, as he felt for Jami (q.v.). It is worth while to tell
some part at least of Yunas’ attainments in the gentler Arts, because the biography from which they are quoted may
well have been written on the information of his wife Aisan-daulat, and it indicates the breadth of his exemplary
influence. Yunas was many things—penman, painter, singer, instrumentalist, and a past master in the crafts. He was
an expert in good companionship, having even temper and perfect manners, quick perception and conversational
charm. His intellectual distinction was attributed to his twelve years of wardship under the learned and highly
honoured Yazdi (Sharafu’d-din ’Ali), the author of the Zafar-nama [Timur’s Book of Victory]. That book was in
hand during four years of Yunas’ education; he will thus have known it and its main basis Timur’s Turki Malfūzāt
(annals). What he learned of either book he would carry with him into ‘Umar Shaikh’s environment, thus magnifying
the family stock of Timuriya influence. He lived to be some 74 years old...